Pipe dream

words by Isobel Finbow

It's the question asked by young children and big kids world
over when confronted by a long, steep slope: 'Wouldn't it be cool
if we could make it into a giant slippery slide?'

For Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram, this pipe dream is about
to become reality. After months of campaigning Luke has won over
Bristol City Council, and has the go-ahead to
create Park and Slide: a 90-metre waterslide
down central Bristol's Park Street. For one day only on 4 May 2014,
the public will be able whoosh, whizz, and splash all the way from
imperious Will's Memorial Building, past the skate shops, boutiques
and cafés, safely onto a padded matting area below.

The crowdfunded project is not far from hitting its
target of the £5,612 necessary to make the slide, made of hay bales
and plastic sheeting, into a reality.

There are only a limited number of spaces to fly face-first down
Park Street; registration for the ballot is open now until 20 April
2014.

For more information, and to sign up for the ballot to win a
free ticket, visit www.bristolside.com